NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On a night when college football's stars were recognized for their outstanding play on the field, University of Nebraska senior running back Rex Burkhead was announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® captain, a community service honor determined by college football fan voters on ESPN.com.

Burkhead was unveiled as the third team captain named in the 21-year history of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football, during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

"As a student-athlete committed to having a real impact on his community, Rex Burkhead embodies the true spirit of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®," said Kathy Mabe, president of Allstate's West regions and a member of the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team voting panel. "Rex's leadership off the field and dedication to serving others represents all that is good in college football, and Allstate congratulates him on being named the 2012 team captain."

A first-team All-Big Ten Conference performer from Plano, Texas, Burkhead has been involved with numerous charitable efforts during his time at the University of Nebraska. The senior developed a friendship with a six-year-old boy with a brain tumor, and during games Burkhead and his Cornhusker teammates wore bracelets to demonstrate their support for the child and his family. Additionally, he appeared in a public service announcement challenging youth to avoid bullying.

Burkhead and his fellow Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members have been invited to New Orleans to participate in a special youth football clinic prior to the 2013 Allstate® Sugar Bowl® in New Orleans. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will also be honored at halftime of the Allstate® Sugar Bowl®, which will be televised nationally on ESPN on Jan. 2, 2013.

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The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® is comprised of 22 players, including 11 competing in the NCAA® Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players representing the NCAA® Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA.

To learn more about this year's team members and their selfless acts of kindness, fans can visit ESPN.com and search "Good Works."

About AllstateThe Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names. Widely known by its slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®," Allstate offers insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams® were established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate partnered to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

About AFCAThe AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession" and to "provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football."

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